This day and age it's all about the defensive linemen.
How can this high school team from Polk County rush the quarterback? But the linebackers also play an instrumental role in stopping the offense.
Not only do they rush the quarterback, at least one of those linebackers is the quarterback of the defense. They also are huge in running from sideline-to-sideline to stop the intermediate perimeter game.
And if they're athletic enough, they can drop back in coverage and help cover the skill players with their secondary teammates. That's football.
And so many in Polk County possess these skills.
In fact, over the last decade, Polk County has produced middle- to top-tier talent who are high-motor players who are also power-4 prospects, among many other high-level-college-conference prospects. These same players have led top Polk County defenses to success in the playoffs thanks to their ability to get to the quarterback, read the offense and play in pass coverage.
While the area doesn't dominate linebacker rankings from top to bottom, Polk is known for producing its fair share of talented linebackers from the area who go on to produce at the highest level.
One linebacker who comes to mind is Indiana's Rolijah Hardy, who is a former Lakeland defensive player who graduated in 2023 and went on to win a national championship with the Indiana Hoosiers in 2026. The All-Big-10 talent will look to continue to make Lakeland and all of Polk County proud for his upcoming junior year.
Folks want to be like Mike — or LeBron — but many area linebackers are striving for the Hardy standard. Vote now on who you think will be the next Hardy. Who is the best linebacker in Polk County in 2026? This vote will end 8 p.m., Monday, Aug. 24.
Defensive ends to watch in 2026: 33 Polk County defensive linemen primed for 2026 football season
Linebackers to watch in 2026: 32 Polk County high school football linebackers to look for in 2026